Italian city receives young people from various parts of the world for the bicentenary of Don Bosco; preparations of activities are in final phase
Madan Chopra
Special Envoy to Turin
In the week leading up to the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, a big party is prepared for young people in Turin, Italy. The Italian city is the seat of the world meeting of Salesian Youth.The land where Don Bosco found his calling of being father to the young was chosen to host this meeting, which will be attended by some 5,000 young people from 136 countries, including Brazil.
The SYM Don Bosco is the last event before the conclusion of the 200-year anniversary of the Saint known as father of young people, this Sunday, August 16. The event makes it clear that the time has passed, but the mission to take care of youth continues between the priorities of the Salesians, Congregation founded by St. John Bosco.
Not to lose the features of the Saint, the meeting will have a lot of music, theater, moments of prayer, confession and calls shares, plus pilgrimages of youth groups to places where the Saint spent in Turin.
One of the highlights of the SYM Don Bosco will be on Saturday, when all young will leave Turin and go to the location where Don Bosco was born, where there is a Basilica dedicated to Saint. In addition to several activities during the day, the young people will make an evening prayer vigil to prepare for a big party on Sunday, from 10:00 in the morning.
On this first night, the arriving young people are being assigned their accommodation. On Tuesday, 11, first thing in the morning, begin the activities.